Sycamore merchants 'sizzlin' in the snow'

“This is the first year for it,” said Marcia Elliott, owner of Made Just for You. “We thought it would be fun to do. It’s the reverse of Christmas in July. This is summer in the winter.”

From Jan. 18-20, participating merchants will have indoor sidewalk sales, offer free samples, and host demonstrations and guest speakers. Many are planning to decorate their front windows and stores with a summer theme.

The Sycamore Theater will offer $2 admission to screenings of “Wreck-It Ralph” at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Prairie on State Wine Cellars will feature music by Ric Bianchi at its Friday Night Wine Down beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, and on Sunday afternoon Riccardi’s Red Hots will host a gourmet shake tasting.

“It’s never too cold for ice cream,” Riccardi’s co-owner Sue Riccardi said. Co-owner Frank Riccardi’s band, Yesterday’s News, will perform. There will be two seatings for the shake tasting, from noon to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets, which include appetizers, are $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and younger. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Feed’em Soup.